For all the critical acclaim he’s received both as a soloist and alongside Eric B., it’s safe to assume that a lot has changed since Rakim’s first commercial release in 1987. The man regarded by many as the greatest emcee of all time has been able to adapt to different generations of Hip Hop fans, yet in an interview with UK’s The Guardian, Ra openly admitted there was room for improvement in the current scene.
“The conscious level is definitely low and the substance of the music is so much lighter, but you have to understand the game is young in new places. It’s still growing,” Rakim said. “We really need some of that consciousness, that fly on the wall that watches over us and comments. I like B.o.B and Lupe Fiasco a lot, they’re both exploring the music, but I don’t see a lot of artistry out there.”
While the current, single-driven climate can produce wildly profitably artists with no longevity, Ra also revealed that his legendary status doesn’t reflect the financial boom popularized during the ‘90’s on shows such as “MTV Cribs.”
“My accountant has me on an allowance,” Ra added. “He works out how much money is coming in, how much we have already and he makes it pay over the year. So some weeks we might have $1500, some we might only have $500, but my family understands all that. I’m not a mainstream artist. But I’ve seen my kids being born, I’ve seen them take their first steps, I’ve seen them grow up and start school. That’s worth more to me than any umpteen million dollars.”
The full interview, which also includes commentary from Posdnuos of De La Soul, is available at The Guardian’s official site.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koN-yF4ySQs&feature=related
Skywalker – Barton Block
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkHGBWBciyU&feature=related
Street Runna – Barton Block
What Rakim just said about the money – that’s probably some of the realest, most honest thing a rapper (sic) could say. It’s a pity this sort of article will not get many views or comments relative to, say, a Lil Wayne article. Most of the current gen of hip-hop fans will either say “Rakim who?” or “Rakim? Who cares?” I’m only 20 bdw… Just sayin’…
^^^
Real talk. That’s why RA is gonna saty paid an JD is going broke.
fuck birdman and his 8 million dollar car
These niggas deserves the millions, not the autotune pop dudes.
lyrics of fury is my shyt…..im 17 btw
There is HOPE!!! IM 39 BTW.
Then you two dudes should get together and rim each other whilst listening to ‘Paid In Full’ and ‘The Seventh Seal’, bye the way…
THE GOD! Real Recognize Real.
i was about to write the same exact comment!
Rakim is easily the best rapper ALIVE! i hate when ppl say different, until he dies its no arguement.
KNOW THE LEDGE
Rakim is easily ONE of the best rappers alive. Come on now, saying Rakim is the best alive is just like saying Nas is the best alive, or for Jay-Z fans Jay-Z is the best alive. I hate when people make “[insert rapper’s name] is THE BEST rapper alive.” With so many different rappers and fans, NO ONE IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST
Jonel, you need to understand something kid. Critics have been saying Rakim is the GOAT since the 90s. Many rappers pay tribute to Rakim for pioneering the metaphorical style that is used today — including ya boy Nas who made his own tribute song called The Autobiography of Rakim. Nas and Jay pay homage to Rakim.
He’s one MC that is still as respected today as he was over 3 decades ago — even by the new cats in the game.
80s, 90s, 00s, 10s…
Based on those credentials, if there was a GOAT, Rakim is easily at the top of the list.
Rakim was one of the pioneers, but other rappers improved on that and evolved it to much higher levels.
to ‘ANONYMOUS’,
name one artist/ record that is better than “FOLLOW THE LEADER”, then. bring your proof.
RAKIM brought flow, nuance, alliteration, prose, and rhyme schemes to emceeing. that’s why he’s called ‘THE GOD EMCEE’. that’s why JAY-HOVA said, “I’M IN MY PRIME/ SO FOR THAT TIME/ I’M RAKIM!”.
i would like to see Ra catch some kind of glory again
OH and I will NEVER get tired listening to “Microphone Fiend”!!!!!
Ra is still making sense after all these years. Thank you God.
Instead of encouraging excessive spending like most rapper he’s actually implementing the message that restraint over your temptation to “live like a baller” is more smarter.
“But who wants to hear something smart, nowadays.” That’s an actual quote from a 23 year old I know.
Damn…
couldn’t of said it better my self,,,peace to the god,,,
RAKIM is ‘THE GOD EMCEE’….and “FOLLOW THE LEADER” is the best hip-hop record, full stop.
GET OVER 1,000,000 YOUTUBEVIEWS
flameviewer .blogspot. com
absolutely appalling that the living legend Rakim Allah, the greatest rapper of all time has to think about finances. he should have legions of fans who buy him food and throw themselves over puddles that he may walk upon their backs and keep His holy feet from getting wet and muddy. Rakim bless you all.
I bet if Rakim ran for president he’d win. All his fans would definitely vote for him and most hip hop/rap fans in general would vote for him too just because he raps. He’s one of the few entertainers who doesn’t let all the fame and money corrupt him.
all that bullsh** sounds dumn the most important thing is providing da best lyf 4 yo family and 1500/w legend or no legend u seem stupid
You’re the dumbass. How dare you tell the God, the real G.O.A.T., the best that ever did it, that he’s stupid for not selling his self out to chase some paper. All money, ain’t good money and if he’s comfortable with his finances and he is happier being engaged with his family then you should respect it. What Ra eats don’t make you shit. Sound just like a broke ass muhfucka.
no shit. fucking dumbass. We should all be thanking him for selling his soul for a bite to eat. He still got money and is a dope emcee. Whats good?
Rakim is a legend,but you gotta admit his third solo LP was a huge disappointment. I hope he makes another one that isn’t as bad.
I thought it was disappointing relative to his previous albums, but I enjoyed listening to it regardless. The difficult thing for an artist such as Rakim to come back with material after so long was: does he stick with what he’s done before? Or does he try to capture a new audience in new hip-hop? He ended up falling in between and that’s what weakened the album. Obviously, I think the former question is what I would say ‘yes’ to – do what you’re good at, and stick with your dedicated fan base.
Big up Rakim for speaking truth and he is right financial discipline is needed if anyone over-stands the monetary system then you will know what he is talking about plus he does big everytime its unfortunate that he does not appeal to the Lil Wayne fans as well the level content explains it all
@HHDX yall couldnt give the DIRECT link to the article.. I cant find that shit.
when it takes you to the other site just type in Rakim in the search bar and it’ll give you a link to the article.
Went to the show in London on Tuesday, Rakim was incredible. This is the rapper’s rapper… a true legend.
Yo, I’m going on 40 yrs old and remember like yesterday when I aint no joke came out in the tri-state area (N.J.) back in da day. I took my house speaka and put it in mom dukes car spliced a few wires and left the trunk open in the freezing weather at night so EVERYONE COULD HERE THIS MASTER PIECE!!!
thx for moving the entire tri-state.
Peace God
B-
Lupe Fiasco has gotten props from Rakim and Nas this year. All the legends respect the hell out of him. Lupe Fiasco is a legend himself though…..dude is one of the all time greats. Best Rapper Alive too
He’s truly one of the best of all time, people judging him too quick based on his commerical records, yet they’re still more intelligent than deep records of other rappers.
The game needs more emcees period. anybody can rap. it takes something real for a person to captivate a listener and keep them there. we need to get back to writing bars and hooks that mean something. what happened to the social commentary?
There’s a lot of it, even today. Hip Hop is doing well in the underground. But there’s also social commentary in the mainstream.
Dude’s straight up, no lies. One of the greatest of all time.. But I’ve always wondered how much money old school non active artists have, and finally an answer
Lyrics of Fury, best showcase of lyrical skill ever. PERIOD.
You ain’t never lied!
Rakim and Kool G. Rap are the best. Nas, AZ, and Cormega are their sons. Know the Ledge!!!
cormegas career is a serious dissapointment
i would say that RAKIM, KOOL G. RAP, and KRS-ONE are the best. cannot forget THE T’CHA.
You see this is what HipHop should be about… Reality vs Real fake
Yeah you’re right…and the T’CHA!!!
rakim the god should be swimming in millions. sorry. its the truth. every rapper got a piece of the god in him. the rolling stones swim in money. rakim is bigger than the rolling stones to me. that brotha deserves his fortune. most influential artist in my life. inspired the greatest to ever do it. and he’s got an allowance. jay-z, eminem, nas, ludacris. these big huge, niggas that cashed in, should start a fund for the LEGENDS. im sick of seeing the niggas that BUILT this culture get thrown in the trash. 7th seal was dope, considering ra is in his 40’s and operating on a budget. always have respect for the god.